The Lifestyle Chronicles - What's In A Name?

A diagnosis is the label associated with a health problem or a group of symptoms. Diagnoses do not have to be officially condoned or linked to a disease to be widely accepted by patients and health professionals. Diagnoses can create constituencies and fields of activity. It is common for a diagnosis to be misunderstood and there are more than a few examples of incorrect diagnosis.

Depression is a diagnosis that is frequently misunderstood. People responding to a life situation may be depressed and in America they are often treated with medications. The medications may or may not bring relief and the life situation may pass but the patient remains on the medication. The health care system is not oriented to resolution of life situations. Life situations need not be medical problems but the American culture pushes in that direction.

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